Former President Barack Obama mocked the lavish renovations at President Trump’s White House, likening the decor to a Cheesecake Factory opened by Saddam Hussein. Critics, however, quickly accused Obama of overlooking the grand scale of his own presidential center in Chicago.
Obama made the remark Saturday while campaigning for Democrats in Ohio, arguing that Trump appeared more interested in remodeling the White House than addressing Americans’ concerns.
“I mean, I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but he seems very focused on home renovations,” Obama said. “He should be on HGTV.”
He followed with a sharper punchline: “He’s got the White House looking like Saddam Hussein opened a Cheesecake Factory.”
The comment drew an immediate response from conservatives, who argued that Obama was criticizing Trump from an equally extravagant perch.
“The guy who designed this wizard prison for himself has thoughts on aesthetics?” GOP communications strategist Matt Whitlock wrote.
Another critic posted: “The guy who built this intergalactic porta potty is criticizing the way Trump decorates the White House.”
The towering Obama Presidential Center in Chicago, known for its massive rock-like design, has been derided by some observers as the “Obamalisk” and the “Death Star.”
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Obama’s choice of the Cheesecake Factory as an insult also drew objections from people who view the chain as a respectable, albeit occasionally expensive, restaurant for families.
“Does Obama not understand that to most Americans the Cheesecake Factory is a very nice and fancy restaurant?” one user asked on X.
“Classic Obama snobbery,” another commenter wrote. “Cheesecake Factory is a great option for people who can’t afford a private chef at their Martha’s Vineyard estate.”
The backlash comes as the Obama Presidential Center, which officially opened in Chicago on June 19, has faced scrutiny over its rising cost and disputes involving construction work.
The Obama Foundation has estimated the project’s cost at $850 million, hundreds of millions of dollars above its early projections.
Several subcontractors have also claimed they are owed millions for completed work. The foundation has said its construction manager is responsible for addressing those contract disputes.
Trump’s White House renovation plans include a proposed ballroom announced in July 2025, along with upgrades to the Rose Garden and a helipad on the South Lawn.
The ballroom project has prompted questions about its price as well. The White House initially estimated the cost at $200 million, while a contractor’s estimate obtained by The Washington Post placed the broader project at $600 million. A substantial share is expected to come from taxpayers, despite Trump’s earlier claim that private donors would finance the ballroom.
The administration says the ballroom would create a permanent venue for major White House events, with seating for up to 650 guests—more than three times the East Room’s capacity of 200.